Jets put 2026 draft picks Anez Cooper and VJ Payne on IR; set initial 53-man roster

Published August 30, 2026 08:57 PM The Jets put two of their draft picks on injured reserve while setting their initial 53-man roster on Sunday. Sixth-round guard Anez Cooper and seventh-round safety VJ Payne both landed on the list. The Jets designated both players for return and they will be eligible to come back after the first four games of the regular season. Linebacker Tyler Baron will stay on the physically unable to perform list and is also ruled out for the first four games of the year. Cornerback Tre Brown, running back Chip Trayanum, and linebacker Mykal Walker went on injured reserve without the possibility of returning during the season. The Jets also waived or released DB Mory Bamba, WR Junior Bergen, WR Cam Camper, S Dean Clark, DB Jordan Clark, QB Brady Cook, LB Anthony Dunn, LB Paschal Ekeji, OL Courtland Ford, G Liam Fornadel, DB Keenan Garber, G Marquis Hayes, DT Jack Heflin, OL Xavier Hill, LB Jaden Keller, LB Nate Lynn, WR Malik McClain, S Jarius Monroe, DL Payton Page, WR Jamaal Pritchett, WR Quincy Skinner, DL Mazi Smith, DL Junior Tafuna, S Tanner Wall, LB Chase Wilson, OL Xavier Newman-Johnson, CB Samuel Womack, OL Landon Young, QB Bailey Zappe, TE Chase Curtis, TE Connor Hulstein, and RB Dominic Richardson.